Emergencies don’t usually come with a warning. They just happen, unexpectedly, often at the most inconvenient times. While many people are prepared for general medical emergencies, they might not know much about handling a case of dental emergency. Ignorance or even negligence can potentially escalate the situation, leading to permanent damage. This article will serve as your essential guide to emergency dental care, providing you with the crucial information you’ll need to handle dental emergencies appropriately.
Firstly, it is critical to understand when emergency dental care is required. Some signs of a dental emergency are excessive swelling in the mouth, uncontrollable oral bleeding, severe dental pain and discomfort, knocked-out or loose teeth, serious oral infection, and damage to the jawline. These situations require immediate attention from a dental professional to minimize the risk of further complications.
Knowing what to do in the event of a dental emergency can make all the difference. In cases of severe, persistent toothache, rinse your mouth with warm water and gently use dental floss to remove any lodged food. If the pain persists, consult with a dentist immediately. For a knocked-out tooth, hold the tooth by the crown (not the root) and rinse it off with water if it’s dirty, but don’t scrub it or remove any attached tissues. If possible, try to place the tooth back in the socket without forcing it. If not, keep the tooth moist in milk and get to the dentist right away.
Loss of a dental filling is another common emergency. An excellent temporary remedy until you get to a dentist is to stick a piece of sugarless gum in the cavity or use over-the-counter dental cement. For a lost dental crown, if you can’t get to the dentist right away, use a cotton swab to apply a little clove oil to the sensitive area and if possible, try to slip the crown back over the tooth. Before doing so, coat the inner surface with an over-the-counter dental cement, toothpaste, or denture adhesive to help hold the crown in place.
Most importantly, don’t stress. Not all dental issues need emergency dental care as some can wait for the regular dental clinic hours. These include a cracked tooth (unless there’s severe pain), lost filling, bridge or crown, damaged night guard, and a dull toothache. However, if you’re unsure of the severity of your condition, it’s always wise to consult with your dentist.
Emergency dental situations are never comfortable nor convenient. Having knowledge of how best emergency dental care to handle these emergencies can reduce the anxiety related to them substantially and can potentially save your teeth as well. Always keep your dentist’s contact details handy and remember that fast action combined with our essential guide to emergency dental care can help avoid long term dental damage and keep your smile healthy.